Christmas cheer abounds in concerts and traditional lessons and carols service

As daylight continues to fade into the darkest days of winter, holiday events bring cheer to Eastern Mennonite University.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 27:  “A Bach Festival Christmas”  rings in the Christmas season Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. The concert is free and open to the public; donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, now in its 27th season.
  •  Friday, Nov.30: Chamber Singers, 7-8:30 p.m. in Martin Chapel. A variety of sacred and holiday classics from across the ages will be performed , from the Renaissance period (Claudio Monteverdi) to the twentieth century (Healey Willan and John Ness Beck).  Five arrangements of favorite Christmas carols will bring the concert to a close.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 4: Orchestra, 7-8 p.m., in Lehman Auditorium.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 5: Jazz Ensemble, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.
  • Thursday, Dec. 6: Emulate, 7-8 p.m. in Martin Chapel.
  • Sunday, Dec. 9: Wind Ensemble, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.

On Monday, Dec. 10, EMU offers its traditional Lessons and Carols service, a collaboration between Campus Ministries and the music department. The service begins at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium, and is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will benefit the Campus Ministries Compassion Fund.  LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE! Check out the EMU Facebook page to watch.

In the classic approach to lessons and carols, scripture passages will feature the image of light and trace themes of need and longing, stories surrounding the birth of Jesus, and the celebration of “God with us!”

In addition to congregational singing with the EMU University Choir, musical selections will be offered by the EMU music department’s faculty and students.  A new composition by senior Luke MulletFor Peace, will be performed.  The text for the work is adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Christmas Bells. Students serving in pastoral assistant roles with campus ministries will read the lessons from the Christian scriptures.

Join us as we welcome the light of God’s Son into the world this Christmas season!

A freewill offering will benefit the Campus Ministries Compassion Fund.